A TOUR OF NACOGDOCHES
(Cont...)
- THE JENNIE HOYA MAST
HOUSE THE CLARA HOYA GRAY HOUSE (Logansport at Park)
Built: 1914. Architect: D. Rulfs. Charles Hoya had architect D. Rulfs to
built these interesting houses in 1914 for his two daughters. Known locally
as the "twin houses," they only appear to be identical because
of the front fence and equal distance from the street. The Gray house to
the north is straightforward and unadorned; the Mast house to the south
is very feminine and uses a diamond motif throughout. Both houses reflect
the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright and the bungalow style of the period.
An untrue local legend claimed that there was a tunnel between the two houses
for safe passage for the two sisters.
ZION HILL FIRST BAPTIST
CHURCH (324 North Lanana)
Built: 1914 Architect: D. Rulfs. At the north end of Oak Grove, stands one
of the most charming structures in Nacogdoches and an architectural masterpiece
of D. Rulfs. The Zion Hill congregation dates back to 1879; their second
building of the stood on Park Street near the present Zion Hill Cemetery
on Lanana Creek. In 1914, the black congregation moved to the Lanana Street
building designed by Rulfs. The building, one of the finest churchs built
in Texas for a black congregation, is a harmonious blend of Gothic and Victorian
elements. The Gothic elements can be seen in the west tower with its shingled
spire, in the pointed windows, and in the trefoil or "clover"
designs; the Victorian elements in the building's over-all opera house shape
and in the octagonal lantern (dome) which rests on the roof over the sanctuary.
Rulfs' buildings is esthetically now an integral part of Oak Grove Cemetery,
although few blacks are buried in the Cemetery.
THE HADEN EDWARDS
HOUSE (North Lanana)
Built: Circa 1860 Redesigned: 1890 Architect: D. Rulfs. Haden Harrison Edwards,
the son of the leader of the Fredonia Rebellion, and his wife Sarah Forbes
built this house in the mid-19th century. H.H. Edwards was a Brigadier General
in the Repbulican Army and represented Nacogdoches in the First Congress
of the Republic in 1836-37 and later in the Texas Legislature. It was his
son Payton who commissioned Rulfs to enlarge the house in 1890. Rulfs added
the western rooms, the wraparound porches, the chamfered bay with balcony
and shed roof, and the pediment over the entry way. The use of a diamond
pattern throughout is interesting. The house sold to the Arnold family in
1891, to the Tucker family in 1901, and the Swift family in 1905. Jean Barnhart
restored the house in 1987 and now runs a very popular bed and breakfast
for tourists.
THE DIETRICH RULFS
HOUSE (113 Lanana at Pilar)
Built: Circa 1882 Architect: D. Rulfs The exact date of this house is uncertain.
Rulfs immigrated to Nacogdoches in 1880. At first, he rented the Old Orton
House on Orton Hill. In 1882, he bought this property and built this small
house shortly thereafter. (Later he was to build a larger, more important
house on the eastern portion of the property and eventually two rental houses.)
By the turn of the 20th century, he was using this house as a workshop,
an office, and eventually as a rental unit. The house has had extensive
renovation over the years, the latest being the addition of aluminium siding
and the brick on the front porch. Some of the original Victorian elements,
however, can be seen over entrance on the front porch.
OLD REDLAND HOTEL/GODTEL (330 East
Main)
Built: 1908. Architect: D. Rulfs. When built, this late Victorian hotel
was called the Murphy Hotel; it became the Redland around 1921. The upper
floor was added some time later, as can be seen by the change in brick color,
window shape, and concrete lentels. The entrance of the hotel is particularly
nice, with a recessed doorway, large arches and porch, corbeled cornice
with dental mouldings, and fanlight. The Redland was very modern in its
day, with electricity and steam heat in every room. The dining room and
the kitchen of the hotel were located in an ell off the rear of the building,
with a basement for services. The building is now owned by the Gotel Ministry.
OLD COMMERCIAL NATIONAL BANK BUILDING
(East Main)
Built: 1903. Archiutect: D. Rulfs. This structure is one of Rulfs' finest
commercial buildings. The brick work and the arched windows are particularly
nice. The building once had a balcony which wrapped around the front to
the west.
THE OLD OPERA HOUSE (East Main)
Built: 1888 Architect: D. Rulfs The Nacogdoches Opera House built in 1888
by D. Rulfs. Rulfs was use to this in Europe. The facade of the building
has been replaced at a later date and extensive change on the interior.
This was the place, in the 1920's where the Marx Brothers "got their
start" in show business. They were really a serious act, but when the
locals became more interested in a commotion in the street below than their
act, the Marx brothers started cracking jokes and poking fun at the locals.
It worked and they were off.
MILLARD'S CROSSING
United States Congresswoman Mrs. Albert Thomas has assembled a fine collection
of mid-19 and early 20th century houses collected at the north end of Nacogdoches
at the railroad crossing known as Millard's Crossing. These houses include
log structures and Greek Revival houses from the Republican period, Victorian
houses from the turn of the century, a primitive Methodist Church, and many
fine artifacts. The Lee House is one of the finest examples of a double
frontier house that is to be seen anywhere.
The Watkins Log House, Millard's Crossing.
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©Jere L. Jackson, Stephen F. Austin
State University, PO Box 13013, Nacogdoches, Texas 75962 USA
E-mail: jjackson@sfasu.edu